All week

EASTER HOLIDAYS: The school holidays are here, and there's plenty going on in London including family exhibitions, nature trails, egg hunts and museum workshops. Take a look at what's on near you, whatever their age, and whatever your budget.

REMEMBERING THE DOCKLANDS BOMB: This exhibition at Republic Gallery remembers the 1996 IRA bomb at South Quay, including a short film and archive images. As well as the immediate impact of the bombing, it explores the effect the incident had on regeneration in the surrounding area. Republic Gallery, free entry, just turn up, until 9 April, Thursday-Sunday

WAR AND REFUGEES: Richard Mosse has created a hard-hitting installation. Three screens show footage from military grade thermographic imaging technology. We see refugees being rescued from boats and footage from refugee camps, where a lone man prays. Seeing fighter jets taking off and strafing targets with a deafening roar of a soundtrack is shocking and brings home the reality of the world we’re often insulated from. The Curve (Barbican), free, book ahead, until 23 April

HEINZ BEANS: Celebrate all things beans at Selfridges. This pop-up marks the 50th anniversary of Heinz Meanz Beanz. Buy yourself a limited edition can for £2, or tuck into dishes including Beanz with scrambled egg or crispy bacon for £3. Selfridges Foodhall, dishes £3, just turn, until 23 April

THE BEST IN PHOTOGRAPHY: We always look forward to the Deutsche Borse Photography Prize as the benchmark of photography as art. The finalists' styles change dramatically every year, and this annual exhibition has included many impressive winners in the past. The Photographers' Gallery, £4 (free before noon), just turn up, until 11 June

Monday 3 April

LONDON'S LAYERS: Museum of London hosts an archaeology-themed workshop for under fives and their parents — an ideal chance to get them interested in London's history and what's going on under their feet. Free, just turn up, 10.30am/1pm

Tuesday 4 April

HUMANITY LECTURE: Is humanity naturally good? That's the subject of this lunchtime lecture, which takes into account the physical, chemical and biological components of human nature. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

CHRISTIE'S LATES: The South Kensington auction house hosts its monthly late night opening. The theme this month is Contemporary Living; take a guided tour, or join in a design workshop. Christie's South Kensington, free, just turn up, 6pm-8.30pm

Y2K LECTURE: Remember the Millennium Bug? Y2K? What was it all about — and did it even exist at all? Find out at this Gresham College talk. Museum of London, free entry, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

CURATOR TOUR: Join a curator for a tour of the current Miles & Stirling architecture exhibition. The exhibition examines two plans which were put forward for buildings on the No.1 Poultry site in the City of London.RIBA (66 Portland Place), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm

Wednesday 5 April

GREAT FIRE OF LONDON: How much did the Great Fire really change London? Was it solely responsible for the architectural changes of the period? Museum of London hosts this lecture about the inferno of 1666. Museum of London, free, book ahead, 3pm

PUBSCI: Science in a pub — an excellent combination. This month, hear from engineer Dr Fiona Nairn Scott, who will discuss the challenges of fireproofing iconic and historic buildings. The Old King's Head (Borough), free (there's a whip-round to cover costs), just turn up, 6pm for 7pm start

MUSEUM BY CANDLELIGHT: Explore Sir John Soane's Museum after hours by candlelight. The house's collection includes antiquities and other curiosities, as well as paintings by the likes of Turner and Hogarth. Sir John Soane's Museum (Lincoln's Inn Fields), free, just turn up (worth getting there early to avoid disappointment), 6pm-9pm

CRAP FILM CLUB: Celebrating the worst of the film world, Crap Film Club hosts a screening of 1986 indie slasher film Chopping Mall. Four young couples decide to spend the night in a shopping mall, but the security system malfunctions and robots turn into kill-bots. The Book Club, £5, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

POLITICAL POWER OF MUSIC: Head to Housmans book shop in King's Cross for a talk by musician Dave Randall about his new book. It discusses how musicians have used their craft to spread political messages through the years. Housmans, £3, just turn up, 7pm

Thursday 6 April

CHERNOBYL DISASTER: It's 30 years since the Chernobyl disaster, but what consequences has it had on food production and consumption in Europe? That's what's being explored in this new mixed media exhibition, which opens today. Rich Mix, free entry, just turn up, 6-28 April

FROM THE SOMME: Hear the story of how the British and Canadian forces were able to win the Battle of Arras over the Germans in 1917, despite the fact that inexperienced pilots were pitted against Germany's Red Baron. The National Archives (Kew), free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

MEGACITIES: As the world's population grows, megacities will become increasingly common. Find out about some of the challenges of designing megacities, such as providing enough food for the inhabitants and keeping the air clean enough to breathe. Barnard's Inn Hall, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

GIRL ON GIRL: Artists Juno Calypso and Maisie Cousins are just some of those taking part in this panel discussion about female photographers and the female gaze. It's to celebrate the launch of new book Girl On Girl. Photographers' Gallery, free, just turn up, 6pm-8pm

COMEDY SHOW: Annie McGrath, Lou Sanders and Stuart Laws are among the comedians on the bill at this bargain-cheap comedy night.The Star of Kings (King's Cross), £3, book ahead,8pm-10.30pm

Friday 7 April

Lambeth Palace Gardens open to the public.

NEW EXHIBITION:A new photo exhibition, opening today, portrays the first world war battlefields 100 years on, juxtaposing the death and horror of war with the peace and tranquility of the fields today.Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up,7-23 April

GARDEN OPENING: For the first time in 2017, Lambeth Palace Gardens open to the public. The oldest continuously cultivated garden in London only opens a handful of times each year. Lambeth Palace Gardens, £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm

TAP JAM: Kick off your weekend with some impressive tap dancing performances, part of Southbank Centre's Urban festival. Not always the reserved art form it is now, tap dancers used to gather in city streets in the 1930s to challenge each other. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 5.30pm

LATE AT TATE BRITAIN: Britain: Stand Firm is the rather topical theme for this late night gallery opening. It's based around the long-standing contributions that African and Caribbean immigrants have made to UK society, and includes live music, discussions, performances, film screenings and more. Tate Britain, free entry, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

MACHO? A bromance themed drag king cabaret, expert talks and a pop-up choir are just some of the events on offer at Wellcome Collection's Macho! themed lat night opening. Wellcome Collection, free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

Saturday 8 April

FOOD MARKET:Leyton Food Market reopens for the year today, with street food stalls, produce including fish and bread, arts and crafts, buskers and live music. After today, it runs every Saturday until December. Coronation Gardens, free entry, just turn up, 10am-4pm

VICTORIA CROSS WALK: The Royal Parks Foundation hosts a guided walk around Green Park themed around recipients of the Victoria Cross. Hear the history of the medal and some of the people who have been awarded it. Green Park, £5, book ahead,10.30am-noon

CHARACTER PARADE: If you're in the vicinity of St Paul's Cathedral, you may well catch a glimpse of the London Games Festival Character Parade, with cosplayers and gaming fans dressing up as their favourite video games characters or designs. City of London, free, just turn up, 1.30pm

Sunday 9 April

VINTAGE MARKET: Mid-century, antiques, decorative and retro items are on sale from over 60 stallholders at this new vintage market launching in Vauxhall. The Workshop (Vauxhall), free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

EXHIBITION TOUR:The recently reopened (and excellent) National Army Museum offers a free guided tour of its War Paint exhibition including a discussion about the purpose of painting during war. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 2.30pm